Causes: Community Improvement & Capacity Building, Homeless & Housing, Housing Expense Reduction Support, Housing Support, Single Parent Agencies

Mission: The Warrick Dunn Family Foundation is dedicated to providing opportunities for economically-disadvantaged single parents and children who have demonstrated a commitment to achieve financial independence and stability.

Results: WD-FF has rewarded more than 100 single parents and 270 children.

Target demographics: economically-disadvantaged single-parent families

Direct beneficiaries per year: Minimum of 9 single-parent families

Geographic areas served: Atlanta, Ga. , Baton Rouge, La. , Tampa and Tallahassee, Fla.

Programs: The Homes for the Holidays (HFTH) program transforms the lives of single-parent families by rewarding hard work and recognizing individuals who are actively improving their lives by achieving first-time home ownership. The desired outcome of HFTH is to give single parents an opportunity to establish a positive home environment where their children can thrive educationally, socially and economically. HFTH rewards single parents who have demonstrated financial independence by pursuing and accomplishing the American Dream of first-time home ownership. Through a closed nomination process with Habitat for Humanity, single parent homebuyers are selected. Aaron's Inc. , volunteers and community partners step in to completely furnish each home with appliances, furniture for each room, kitchen supplies, linens, groceries, electronics, books, cleaning products and home decor. Recipients are presented with $5,000 in down-payment assistance and a fully furnished home during a formal presentation at their new residence, helping them lower monthly mortgage payments and alleviate the debt often associated with making a house into a home. The HFTH program transforms the lives of single-parent families and first-time homebuyers by providing the tools to create a stable and happy home.